Magnifico Milano Man
Just last weekend we were still taking in the wonders of Rome, the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, the Forum & the Pantheon, but were moreover still savouring the magnificence of Muccassassina & the spectacular set from one Danny Verde, this terrific talent having been tipping our musical scales for a good four years now and whilst we were keen to publish this, the third in our series of special tributes, before we headed to the Italian capital & a liaison with our Magnifico Milano Man, it now seems far more appropriate to not just reflect on last Friday (27th May), but collectively take the opportunity to look back at some of the reports & reviews we have devoted to Danny, also bringing you up to date with some of his latest ventures & adventures.
So, let’s kick off this fabulous feature by taking some extracts from previous music posts that serve as superb insights to this marvellous man from Milan & his music, the first digging deep into our archives & lifted from a Music Is The Answer report on August 2009 which went as follows
Extract from Music Is The Answer post “Revelling In Re-Mixing”, issued Sat 29th Aug 2009
“…….The other D.J./Producer to get our attention this week is Italian Danny Verde who has exploded onto the European clubbing scene over the last twelve months, his talents migrating from his native Milan to cities across Europe, including Cologne, Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and even here in London where he played at Revolver in February. Danny also starred in the D.J. line up at The Waterpark in Barcelona during the recent Circuit Festival and played a storming set, which resulted in appearances at the iconic DBoy to add to his ever increasing list of venues & gigs. But it’s in the studio where his meticulous & hard work has really paid off, with some superb tracks produced, including “Pushin To the Top” & “Open Your Heart” which have featured on many D.J.’s playlists across the capital & beyond. He has worked with the likes of Phil Romano & Pagano, his latest collaboration with Phil, “Express Yourself” feat Anna Buckley reaching the top 10 on Masterbeat.com and djdownload.com. Other recent remixes include Pagano & Wayne G feat Peyton “Trapped” and G.Martin & Alex Barroso feat Rebeka Brown “This Is My life”, to add to Blow Up’s “Let Me See Your Underwear” and the Pagano feat Stewart Who track “Back To the Future”, all which have secured his reputation in the production game. As if that wasn’t enough, it looks like he may well make this year’s top 100 at djmag.com, a true accolade indeed. So, to get your slice of his remixes & music visit http://myspace.com/dannyverde where you can grab download details of his work. What’s better, why not hit Matinee at Cable tonight (Sat 29th August) when Danny will headline the bpm room…….”
Now we fast forward six months as Danny’s career behind the decks was surging from strength to strength, in many ways equalling his impressive studio standing, we in no doubt that he deserved a slot in the following Music Is The Answer post
Extract from Music Is The Answer post “Magnifico Italiano”, issued 23rd Jan 2010
Danny Goes To Brazil
“…….Now, we have to mention another Italian marvel and probably one of the most meteoric rises in the D.J game we have seen, a man we are privileged to call a friend & another with whom we have been tracking his progress, which, in the short 18 months or so, has seen him become a household name, his reputation up there with the Taito Tikaro’s, the Juanjo Martin’s & the J’Velardi’s of this world. Truly a D.J. in big demand, we will be devoting a full slot to him in February, but with news flooding in, we just had to mention some really exciting studio work of his & a “hot off the press” new release. Who is it? well Danny Verde of course and in preparation for his forthcoming tour of Brazil, he has released a special compilation, aptly named “Danny Goes To Brazil”, which is available to listen to or to download at http://dannyverde.podomatic.com/entry/2010-01-21T15_46_50_08_00. And to add to his 2009 smash remix hits “Let Me See Your Underwear” & “Express Yourself”, he is currently working on a remix of Hector Fonseca’s “I’m So Addictive” as well as collaborating with two artists, first Thomas Anders of 80’s euro-pop sensation “Modern Talking” on his “Stay With Me” track, & then Blake Lewis from the USA, a product of American Idol, on his “Heartbreak On Vinyl” release, which should be out in time for Danny’s trip to California to play in L.A. in March. We hope to bring you exclusive release news of these, so watch this…….”
And that is exactly what we did just two months later, when we once again included him in an Italian inspired report, within which he rubs shoulders with compatriots Pagano & Micky Galliano
Extract from Music Is The Answer post “Incredible Italiano’s”, issued 15th March 2010
“…….However, his real skill is in his remix work and in advance of his upcoming trip to Los Angeles, Danny has worked on a remix of Blake Lewis’s single “Heartbreak On Vinyl”, which has just been released on Tommyboy records US., with further projects penned for this label, together with a remix of Hector Fonseca’s “Addicted” & Thomas Anders’ “Stay With Me”. Next week sees Mr Verde make is US debut at club Friction in Los Angeles and then back in Europe, gigs in Berlin, Cologne, Oslo & Valencia are on the cards, as well as a return to London at the end of May…….”
Now to that return to the capital in May, when Danny once again proved his worth behind the decks, representing Muccassassina at The London Global Dance Festival (LGDF), we preluding his appearance with a special Music Is The Answer posts which also included his long standing friend & fellow D.J./Producer partner Phil Romano, this slice from the report honing in on just what LGDF meant to him & him to LGDF.
Extract from Music Is The Answer special report, “Italian Stars Storm London”, issued 17th May 2010
“…….Danny is very excited about returning to London and given his standing within the global D.J.ing community, his place at LGDF is well deserved and he will definitely bring a whole load of enthusiasm to his performance at the end of May, for which those London clubbers that were present when he played at Matinee last year, will be most familiar with. Danny also represents fabulous Italian club Muccassissina, probably one of the most flamboyant & extravert clubs not just in Italy, but across the globe, the amazing combination of exuberant music, larger than life performers & truly gorgeous people giving it short of legendary status and Danny’s guest slots at this Rome splendour have received plenty of accolades, so it seems fitting he will be part of the special themed space at LGDF……..”
The music devotions to Danny continued and whilst we changed the style of our reporting, introducing our then new Music Newsletter format in August, what didn’t change was our coverage of our man from Milan, he featuring in the second newsletter, his mention going as follows
Extract from Music Is The Answer post “DM Does The News”, issued 6th Sept 2010
Pumping Podcast Crammed With Danny Classics
“…….Now to Mr Verde, the man whose career has well & truly rocketed in the last 18 months or so and no one could be more pleased than we at just how meteoric a rise it has been, an exhausting list of gigs taking him right across the globe. But, despite all this live D.J. work demand, Danny remains no slouch in the studio, where he has really made a name for himself and, following his smash tour of Los Angeles, US online music site, Beatport, has loaded up many of his best works, all which are now available at https://beatport.com/it-IT/html/content/artist/detail/70306/danny_verde, which includes his latest remix work “Stay With Me” by Thomas Anders, which has European vocal house in bucket loads & is simply Danny at his dynamic best. Why not also catch it in full glory with visual links at http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5FF3N2QI0 and whilst we missed out on Danny at M.O.S.T. (after a brief hello), we are very much looking forward to a reunion at Salvation in Berlin next month, plus we will keep you up to date with forthcoming studio projects of his as the inside track of news hits our desks…….”
And since this showing, Danny has remained a regular feature of our music newsletters, the following extract’s bringing you close to completely up to date on Danny’s D.J.’ing & studio work.
Extract from DM Does The Music News “Energetic Euro’s”, issued 18th October 2010
“…….And, when he is home, hardly a day goes by without something coming out of the now famed Holab studio, latest work in progress productions including a remix of Pagano & Parmour’s “The Reflex” as well as 2010 remixes of “Pushin To the Top”. However, two tracks hot off the press are available now, first Katy Perry’s new single “Peacock” which Danny has remixed with Hector Fonseca, out at http://soundcloud.com/hector-fonseca-music/peacock-hector-fonseca-danny-verde-remix while Mr Verde’s own re-work of Blake Lewis’s “Till We See The Sun” looks set to be huge this winter, versions of which you can grab now at http://itunes.apple.com/it/album/till-we-see-the-sun-remixes-ep/id388254732. But we are perhaps nearly most excited about his new podcast “Escape From Paradise” which is an absolute corker & in our view, his best yet. So, as Danny aptly puts it, “…are you ready to escape?, if so download it here…” here being http://dannyverde.podomatic.com. So, being “nearly” most excited surely means something else is coming & yes it is, as we will be with the man himself at Salvation in Berlin in just 6 days, so simply cannot wait…….”
Extract from DM Does The Music News “Superb Stereo Sounds”, issued 15th Jan 2011
“…….Now taking of Danny Verde, we know he has been extremely busy in the recording studio of late and has some exciting projects to come in 2011, he having kicked off the year in superb style with a brand new updated version of his smash hit “Pushin To The Top”, which gained almost immediate worldwide recognition when the original was released 18 months ago. This original, compiled in conjunction with artist Halmadaxx, has, for 2011, been given not one or two, but four remix treatments, we having already mentioned one which appears on Pagano’s compilation. Of the other three, two get our attention here, the first from the man himself, Danny calling it his “Miami 011 Rework”, Mr Verde giving the original a quite different & unique feel through this new release, a preview of which was up on his soundcloud site, although speaking with Danny, a few further tweaks made in advance of its formal release in the next couple of weeks (keeping us in suspense or what!). However, in the meantime, Hector Fonsecca’s mix is well worth a listen and one you can grab now by going to http://soundcloud.com/holabstudio/halmadaxx-danny-verde-pushin-to-the-top-hector-fonseca-remix. As for further projects, like Danny, we will keep you in suspense, although on the D.J.’ing front he couldn’t be busier, tours of Brazil & Mexico confirmed for Feb & March, while he also lands on Britain for a whistle-stop couple of days at the end of January…….”
Extract from DM Does The Music News “March Winds Of Wonderful Music”, issued 20th March 2011
More Magical Music Danny Style
“…….But, while Mexico, Brazil & dates in Europe have been stealing his time, just today, Danny confirmed that he is back in the studio working on finalising a new remix production for Ellie Golding’s “Starry Eyed” (more news on this soon) while his production for Eva Universe and their track “Ashes”, which was given the initial Soundcloud release a short while ago, is yet another Danny smash, plenty of lyrics & vocals making their mark that should see this appeal to a broad range of dancefloors & clubs, not to mention music loving ears. With heaps of the euphoric & uplifting tones that always mark a great Verde version of a track, “Ashes” is no exception, follows his last huge hit “Till We See The Sun” in the same vein and looks set to be the spring/summer sensation for sure, that initial sample release still available by going to http://soundcloud.com/eva-15/ashes-danny-verde-remix. As for Danny, well he will be right here in London next weekend for the Black Party at Area, followed by April dates across Europe, including the Delice Dream Festival in Barcelona, dates in Hawaii & The U.S. also penned, so as busy D.J’ing as he is in the studio…….”
However, this doesn’t bring you bang up to date, although having spent that terrific time with him in Rome last weekend, we have music news on the way in our forthcoming newsletter (somewhat overdue) “May Marks Masses Of Marvellous Music”, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
But our Danny devotions have also extended to reviews and whilst he is based in Italy & tours around the world, whenever he has landed on London we have been there by his side (well maybe not for M.O.S.T.!) and as we have moved into Europe, Danny has been there with us. So no special feature on this fabulous friend would be complete without sharing these review reflections of his prolific performances, this next extract reflecting on the first time we met Danny in the flesh, during a social visit of his to London.
Extracts from “Matinee Marineros” Review – Sat 11th Oct 2008
“…….Amongst our gorgeous posse was the lovely & handsome DJ/Producer Danny Verde, who had flown in from Italy especially for the event. Being his first trip to Matinee London, he was curious with questions which we were happy to oblige with a run down of the venue, we all soon finding ourselves wedged onto the packed main room dancefloor…….”
“…….It was clear to us all that Danny was enjoying the experience, judging by his reactions as we introduced him to people and indeed as he found friends of old…….”
“…….And having got the taste, we grabbed more & shared our favourite liqueur with Danny when we arrived back in the main room, where we spent the majority of our stay…….”
“…….Reports in, after we left, indicated that the club remained busy for hours more and with Pier Morrocco taking charge in the main room, also going “back-to-back” with Eduardo & playing Danny Verde’s no 1 mix “pushin to the top” ,which lifted the roof off the venue…….”
It was a good six months before we saw Danny back in London, but this time it was for his first D.J. gig in the capital.
Extracts from “Revolver Re-Loaded” Review – Sat 28th Feb 2009
Danny Does Revolver
“…….Our anticipation was further heightened by the inclusion of D.J. & producer Danny Verde, who has hit the big time with successful chart topping mixes “pushin to the top” and “open your heart” followed by a series of resident slots around Europe, including his native Italy, in a D.J. line up sporting some of London’s best, Paul Heron & Pagano…….”
“…….although he had time to point us in the direction of Danny Verde, who was just setting up his records in preparation for his headlining set. It was so good to see him and we caught up on news of his recent party exploits. So our “posse” now seemed complete and with Paul Heron handing over the D.J. reigns to Danny Verde, we headed onto the dancefloor to savour the unique amphitheatre style feel of this main space, lapping up the tougher euro style house tunes Danny was delivering…….”
By now Danny’s career behind the decks was really taking off, having appeared at Matinee’s Circuit Festival amongst other dates, this London gig affirmation of his ascendency.
Extracts from “Matinee August Bank Holiday Spectacular” Review – Sat 29th Aug 2009
“…….so exercising some influence, we headed to room three’s D.J. booth to find, not only Jonny M, but D.J./Producer friend Danny Verde, whom we had not seen for a few months, but during that time has been building a real name for himself across Europe and it was no surprise that an already packed room ended up rammed for the whole of his set…….”
“…….With the show over and G-Martin into his stride, we found the draw of Danny Verde in room three too much to resist, so squeezing through the middle room, we made it into the third space which was most definitely the busiest space of the time. And no wonder, as Danny was laying down some serious sounds, deep euro house with uplifting edges, which had us & the crowd mesmerised. It was clear he was enjoying his first time at Matinee, throwing himself into the action, entertaining the crowd as the laser lighting created the perfect harmony with the music…….”
“…….We really wanted Danny’s set to continue on & on, but all great things tend to come to an end all too soon, this being no exception, so having congratulated him on his performance, we pointed ourselves back in the direction of the main room…….”
With regular dates appearing in his schedule for Rome’s Muccassassina, plus being Italian, made Danny’s choice to represent the brand at The London Global Dance Festival an easy one for the organisers.
Extracts from LGDF Review “Mains Meal Of Music” – Sun 30th May 2010
Mucca Main Man Danny
“…….while the second of the three Mucca D.J. representatives, Danny Verde was playing out. And in Danny we were to witness probably the performance of the whole main event, very much testament to the popular demand of this now accomplished D.J./Producer whom we have been promoting & pushing for close on three years, his meteoric rise to fame well deserved and one that continues to make us very proud. Track after track had us dancing in delight close to the D.J. booth, the room packed to the rafters…….”
“…….Even the lovely D.J. Mis-White wasn’t missing out and like us was supremely impressed with Danny’s performance, especially when he played an electro tainted version of “Acapella”…….”
“…….there was little else to keep us away from Danny & the Mucca room by now and even when he had finished his sensational set with the third Italian of the night, Pagano rounding off the mega Mucca experience, our man from Milan was in close quarters to catch up on news and have a little boogie with us to complete what had been an enthralling experience of a night…….”
“…….the real star of the room and the event was Danny Verde, who proved to us and many exactly why he is in such demand, by pulling out an exceptionally stunning set and for us epitomised The London Global Dance Festival and all its intentions…….”
But it would be another six months before we met up with our man from Milan, this time across in Berlin, as we captured international clubbing brand Salvation on tour during our tour of the German capital.
Extracts from Salvation Berlin, “Sashaying In Shoeburg” Review – Sat 23rd Oct 2010
“…….Now we were very much in Salvation mood, trading this lofty space with devotions to Danny downstairs, each visit back & forth timed to perfection as both Nick & our Milano mate picked tunes that tripped off our musical memories, Nick’s “My People” track yet again a highlight, having already played a prolific part in our weekend, Danny’s “Let Me See Your Underwear”, “Pushin To The Top” & even his bootleg of Madonna’s “Vogue” getting airplay…….”
“…….the crowd showing their appreciation with every move they made on the podiums, Danny’s brilliant beats even ensuring that on the few occasions the elevated areas were absent, they were quickly filled with bare tops beauties from the cavorting crowd…….”
Then, with Danny exhaustive schedule taking him right across the globe, it was back in blight, Brighton no less, where we caught up with him again, a rare couple of days together framing his appearance for the city’s club “Kinky Dangerous”, although such was his impression on us & the whole club, we devoted a complete review to his performance, one worth reading in full at http://discomatt.com/web/2011/02/special-clubd-j-review-incredible-italian-impresses-danny-verde-kinky-dangerous-revenge-brighton-saturday-29th-january/.
We then found ourselves checking in with Danny across in Europe once lore, this time just two months later at the Delice Dream festival, Mr Verde taking centre stage as he represented Muccassassina on the Tuesday.
Extracts from Delice Dream Barcelona “Captivating Clubbing In Calella” Review – 16th to 20th April
“…….And they certainly did that from the off, resident D.J. back in Rome, Danny Verde, kicked off the night at Zillion in scintillating style, gloriously gathering an ever increasing crowd with a solid string of superb sounds, some Verde classics, others new tough tech & progressive beats that won him even more fans than he already had…….”
“…….But then enter from stage left the Mucca dancers, dressed provocatively in erotic black tight pants, g-strings & the like, immediately pushing the mercury off the scale with the best stage show of the week, Danny’s musical mastery matching the men’s movements magnificently…….”
“…….With the atmosphere elevated beyond expectation, Mr Verde’s performance, like Mucca’s show, proved to be the set of the festival…….”
And so with that Mucca’s showing across in Spain, we come right up to date with that liaison in Rome last weekend and our bite size reflection of Muccassassina’s “Rafaella” event, which we will leave you to look at via http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/reports-rapture-in-rome-muccassassina-raffaella-friday-27th-may-international-preview-the-review/.
Danny At His Best
However, we now look forward, Danny very much back in the studio groove and working on a remix of Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation”, a sneak preview available at http://soundcloud.com/holabstudio/kelly-rowland-motivation-danny & with this set to be his next dancefloor smash, the “official” release of his remix of Ellie Golding’s “Starry Eyed” storming the sets of D.J.’s around the world (check it out at http://soundcloud.com/holabstudio/ellie-goulding-starry-eyed-1) he also has the coming Europride event in Rome this weekend (Sat/Sun 11th/12th June) to look forward to, when he will be playing alongside pal Phil Romano & the great David Morales, the latter track sure to headline a set score that will prove unbeatable. Add to that a hectic schedule of gigs across the globe & the future has never looked brighter for our Magnifico Milano Man. (DISCO MATT)
Postscript
We thought we remind you of two essential links with you where you can grab Danny’s magnificent music, and whilst the links are within the main text of our special feature, for ease of reference they are also right here, his podcast page http://dannyverde.podomatic.com & his Soundcloud page http://soundcloud.com/holabstudio/